A TRANSCENDENTAL PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY 151

Subtheme conclusion The statements of the sadhus indicated happiness, human beings’ true nature, is none other than Divine inside everyone Many sadhus supported this finding by saying that their happiness is the all-powerful God who guides and protects them constantly Subtheme 6.4: Happiness and Sadhus’ Sense of Fearlessness and Divine Protection “[Happiness is the] experience of the unity that frees us from all fear” — Swamini Keshwananda (personal communication, May 1, 2018) Subtheme 6.4 answered the first research question—What is the meaning of happiness from the perspective of sadhus? Subtheme 6.4 inherits the properties of its parent Theme 6—Happiness has an animate nature Twelve out of 20 sadhus reported fearlessness—a sense of loss of fear in their lives The sadhus also said that happiness personified as God always protecting them during their difficult times See Table 15 for the summary of Subtheme 6.4 Table 15 Subtheme 6.4 Summary Happiness and Sadhus’ Sense of Fearlessness and Divine Protection Research Question 1: What is the meaning of happiness from the perspective of sadhus? Parent Theme 6: Animate nature of happiness Theme Number of Participants Number of References N=20 Happiness and sadhus’ 12 (60%) 34 sense of fearlessness and Divine protection Quote: [Happiness is the] experience of the unity that frees us from all fear — Swamini Keshwananda (personal communication, May 1, 2018) Definition Sadhus reported happiness as God giving them a sense of complete fearlessness and Divine protection in their difficult times The sadhus attributed fearlessness to selfknowledge and non-duality 138